West Side Story

A splendid performance http://www.sydneyartsguide.com.au/packemin-presents-west-side-story-riverside-theatre-parramatta/ This version of Bernstein’s much loved ‘opera for the people’, first performed in 1957 was an impressive, passionate production. The audience got to relive again the great dark scenes- the fighting scenes, the attempted rape of Maria, the brash, humorous scenes- Gee, Officer Krupke, and the very romantic scenes- such as the scene where Tony and Maria first see each other across a crowded room at the gym- One Hand One Heart . Drugstore owner Doc and Officer Krupke try to act as father figures keeping the peace, (with echoes of the Duke and Friar Lawrence in Shakespeare’s play), but tragically fail. The production featured multi level fluid sets and scene changes that slid /flew in and out. The koken- like stage hands were visible for ‘Tonight’ with Maria and Tony on the fire escape landing as it is swivelled and swirled around the stage . The orchestra under the energetic and enthusiastic baton of Peter Hayward delivered a great rendition of Bernstein’s difficult, operatic score. Costumes as designed by Georgia Davis evoked the 1950′s era. The Jerome Robbin’s choreography was exuberantly recreated and danced with its slides and panther like leaps . In Act 1 in the dance at the gym the hot Latin-American style of the Sharks was well contrasted with the far different ‘social dance’ of the Jets. The fights and rumbles were tightly , precisely choreographed. The weakest section in the show, the ‘Somewhere Ballet ‘in Act 2 with its apricot/pink and blue/green costumes reminding me a little of early Cunningham. The big company numbers were performed well. In Act 1 there was the Jet Song and Cool for the men , and a sizzling, dynamic America for the women. In Act 2 there was the dreamlike already mentioned ‘Somewhere Ballet’ for everyone, and ‘Gee ,Officer Krupke’ for the men . Luigi Lucente as our doomed hero Tony was tremendous. He had a light , lyrical tenor voice. Lucente’s portrayed Tony as a peaceful person , tragically caught up in the whirlwind of events. The most operatic voice of in the production came from Elisa Colla playing heroine Maria. was indeed pretty and alluring. She is in fine form and sings with passionate commitment ( eg “ I have a love”) .Maria and Tony’s duets ( eg Tonight and Somewhere ) are splendid. Rowena Vilar as Anita deliciously sizzles and has great fun stealing the show with America. Her rendition of A Boy Like That was darker and more ominous. Leader of the Jets Riff was well played by Jonathan Nash- Daly. His opposition , Maria’s brother Bernardo , leader of the Sharks, was smoulderingly played by Julian Kuo. This was a powerful, punchy and gripping production featuring some memorable, exuberant dancing. Running time- 2 hours and 30 minutes including one interval. Rumble in to the Riverside Theatre at Parramatta and get yourself some tickets. The show is playing until the 20th February. https://riversideparramatta.com.au/